Fiona Mairéad Mc Kenna PhD.
About Fiona Mairéad Mc Kenna PhD.
Fiona Mairéad Mc Kenna, PhD, serves as the Materials Manufacturing Engineering Lead at Ceres Power, where she has worked since 2018. With extensive experience in catalysis and materials formulations, she has held various roles in research and manufacturing across several organizations, including Johnson Matthey and Surrey Nanosystems.
Work at Ceres
Fiona Mairéad Mc Kenna has served as the Materials Manufacturing Engineering Lead at Ceres Power since 2018. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of materials manufacturing processes. Her responsibilities include ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing operations in Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Fuel Cell Inks Development Engineer at Ceres Power for a brief period in 2018, where she contributed to the development of fuel cell technologies.
Education and Expertise
Fiona Mc Kenna holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Surface Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Aberdeen, where she studied from 2006 to 2009. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Heterogeneous Catalysis from the same institution. Additionally, she obtained a BA (Mod.) in Physics and Chemistry of Advanced Materials from Trinity College, Dublin. Her educational background is complemented by expertise in advanced characterization techniques, including FTIR Spectroscopy, and significant skills in process design and the application of nanoparticles in engineering solutions.
Background
Fiona Mc Kenna has a diverse professional background that spans both academia and industry. She began her career as a Project Student at Alfred University in 2003. She then held various roles, including Technical Officer at Robert Gordon University and Lecturer in the Access Programme for Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen. Her industry experience includes positions at Johnson Matthey and Surrey Nanosystems, where she focused on catalyst development and emission control technologies.
Previous Positions
Before her current role at Ceres Power, Fiona Mc Kenna worked at Johnson Matthey as a Senior Scientist specializing in light-duty diesel emission control catalysts from 2011 to 2013. She also served as a Senior Scientist at Surrey Nanosystems, focusing on catalyst development for VANTABLACK® and other advanced materials from 2013 to 2018. Her early career included research and teaching positions at the University of Aberdeen, where she contributed to both undergraduate education and research initiatives.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Fiona Mc Kenna has developed a strong foundation in both research and manufacturing roles, particularly in catalysis and materials formulations. Her work has contributed to advancements in materials engineering and the development of innovative solutions in the field. She has demonstrated a commitment to applying her knowledge and skills to enhance manufacturing processes and product development in her various roles.